Bag filling apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

Automated apparatus for filling of a bag with a loose commodity comprises a bag filling station for dispensing commodity into a bag; a wicket for feeding a stacked and interconnected array of empty bags; and a conveyor for removing filled bags from the filling station. Reciprocating clamps grip the open mouths of the filled bags, and transfer the filled bags away from the filling station, with a subsequent bag being drawn into appropriate position for filling by means of the connection formed between the contacting bags.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS:

Applicants claim priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of Canadian ApplicationNo. 2, 62,276 filed Feb. 15, 1999. Applicants also claim priority under35 U.S.C. §120 of PCT/CA00/00114 filed Feb. 7, 2000. The internationalapplication under PCT article 21 (2) was published in English.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to packaging technology, and in particular to anapparatus and method for filing bags with a loose commodity such as seedor grain, by means of an automated apparatus, and carrying the filledbags to a bag sealing station or other processing means.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The bagging of bulk commodities such as seed or grain requires automatedequipment for sequentially dispensing a measured quantity or weight of acommodity into an open-topped bag, and transferring the bag to a heatsealing station or other bag-sealing means. Typically in apparatus ofthis nature, the bulk commodity is dispensed from a hopper into anopen-topped bag. After a measured amount is dispensed, the bag isremoved from the hopper and discharged from the apparatus. Typically,individual bags are positioned beneath the hopper sequentially. Moderncommodity-handling operations require bag filling machines that arecapable of operating rapidly and effectively, that is, with a minimum ofskipped bags (wherein a bag is missing when the hopper discharges it sload), torn or damaged bags, or doubled-up bags.

Typically, rapidity and precision are achieved by means of an automateddevice having moveable fingers or other gripping members formanipulation of individual bags before, during and after the fillingoperation. For example, published Canadian Application 2,091,471(Huwelmann) discloses a bag-filling apparatus having opposed clampingmechanisms for gripping the open upper end of the bag, and holding thebag open for filling by a hopper or the like. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No.4,172,349 (Lipes) discloses opening of a bag by means of a pair ofopposed gripping members that grip opposing sides of the bag and hold itopen at its mouth. A similar arrangement is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4, 651,506 (Lerner et al.).

U.S. Pat. No. 4,124,966 (Wilson) discloses a bag filling apparatushaving an overhead hopper and a bag carrying means for positioning thebag in an open-mouth positioned beneath the hopper, and subsequentlycarrying the filled bag away from the hopper towards a sealing other bagclosure means. The bags are gripped initially by a first pair offingers, which are relatively broad for holding the bag in an openposition, and subsequently by a second pair of fingers which are narrow,for pulling opposed ends of the bag away from each other to bring thesides of the bags close to each other, for feeding the bag into a heatseal or the like. This arrangement is complex in that it requires twopairs of moveable fingers, to carry out the separate functions ofholding the bag in an open position and subsequently drawing the sidesof the bag together. This two-step action makes this arrangementcomplicated and difficult to operate at the high speeds required of amodem packaging plant.

One requirement is that such apparatus accurately and rapidly transferindividual bags from a bag supply to a filling station and subsequentlyto a conveyor for transferring the bag to a heat-sealing mechanism orother bag-handling subsystem. This sequence may be efficiently carriedout if the bags are transferred efficiently between the variousstations.

A further specific requirement that is not adequately addressed in theprior art is for a simple, effective and rapid means whereby empty bagsare individually engaged and positioned in an open-topped position toreceive a bulk commodity from a hopper or other filling means.

In general terms, it is desirable to provide a simplified yet reliableand speedy mechanism whereby empty bags may be sequentially engaged andtransferred in an open position to a bag-filling station, andsubsequently transferred to a bag conveyor. Conveniently, the individualbags may be drawn closed as they are being fed to the downstreamconveyor. Since typically the downstream conveyor feeds the bags into aheat-sealing station comprising a pair of heated rollers or belts, it isdesirable that the mechanism draws the sides of the bags together toform a flattened upper region of the bag to receive a heat seal.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

In light of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention toprovide an improved bag filling apparatus and method, whereby individualbags are selectively engaged and positioned for individual filling andsubsequently are withdrawn from the filling station in a generallylateral direction for transfer to a downstream conveyor. It is a furtherobject to provide a means whereby the filled bags are generallysubstantially closed at their upper ends as the bags are transferred tothe downstream conveyor, in such a manner as to permit the bags to beconveniently heat sealed at their upper ends.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the foregoing objects, the invention comprises in oneaspect an apparatus for filling bags with a loose commodity andtransferring filled bags to a processing means, of the type comprising:

a bag wicket, a bottom-opening discharge hopper, means for positioningsaid bags sequentially beneath said hopper and a bag gripping means forclosing said bag when filled and displacing said filled bag away fromsaid hopper; said bags having opposed sides and opposed ends. Theinvention is characterized over the prior art in that the hopperincludes a hopper mouth insertable into the bag for holding said bag inan open position during filling;

said bag gripping means comprising a pair of fingers for insertion intoan open mouth of said bag at opposed ends thereof, said fingers beingindependently mounted to moveable support members linked to firstreciprocating drive means for driving said support members horizontallyin a reciprocating diverging and converging movement, whereby whendiverged said fingers grip said bag and draw the opposed sides of saidbag together;

second reciprocating drive means to move said fingers vertically tolower said fingers into the open mouth of said bag; and thirdreciprocating drive means to retract said fingers in tandem horizontallyaway from said hopper while gripping said bag.

Preferably, the hopper mouth comprises. a pair of reciprocating jawmembers which when in a closed position prevent release of said loosecommodity, said jaw members being insertable into the mouth of said bag,and which when in an open position release said loose commodity fromsaid hopper while holding open said bag mouth.

The hopper preferably includes drive means for displacing the hopper ina reciprocating vertical motion for insertion of said hopper mouth intosaid bag mouth for filling the bag and subsequent removal.

Fourth drive means may also be provided for moving said fingers intandem generally horizontally in a direction transverse to the directionof movement of said third drive means while gripping said bag.

In another aspect, there is further provided a conveyer means forreceiving filled bags from said fingers, said conveyer means comprising:

a pair of substantially co-planar rotatable cooperative belt means saidbelt means mounted for reciprocal converging and diverging movementwhereby in a diverged position the belt means are spaced apart from eachother to receive said bag, and in a converged position said belt meansare sufficiently close together to grip and convey said bagtherebetween; and

drive means for rotatably driving at least one of said belts and foractuating at least one of said belt means between said converged anddiverged positions.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a controller for controllingthe apparatus to perform the following sequence of events:

positioning an at least partly opened bag beneath said hopper;

downward movement of said hopper, whereby said jaw members extend atleast partly into an open mouth of a first of said bags and depositionof a quantity of said commodity therein;

movement of said moveable fingers laterally towards said hopper meanswhereby said fingers are positioned substantially over the mouth of saidbags;

downward movement of said fingers into said bag;

upward movement of said hopper away from said bag;

diverging movement of said fingers to draw the mouth of said bag taut;

lateral movement of said bag away from said bag wicket thereby removingthe filled bag from the wicket and drawing a second bag laterally intoposition beneath said hopper, and separating said bags; and

transferring said filled bag to a bag sealing station.

In another aspect, the invention comprises:

a method for filling a bag with a loose commodity and transferring saidfilled bag to a processing means, of the type comprising the steps of:

providing a source of loose commodity;

providing a stacked array of flattened bags on a wicket means andsequentially releasing an individual bag towards said source of loosecommodity, said bags each having a mouth, two opposed sides and opposedends;

sequentially opening said bags and dispensing a selected quantity ofsaid commodity therein;

transferring filled bags away from said source, to a downstream conveyoror processing means.

The invention is characterized over the art by:

providing said bags in an interconnected array;

sequentially withdrawing said filled bags away from said commoditysource in a horizontal direction away from said wicket means, while saidfilled bag is connected to a second empty bag thereby drawing saidsecond of said interconnected bags under said source for filling withsaid loose commodity; and

subsequently transferring said filled bag in a generally horizontaldirection towards said conveyor or downstream processing means.

Preferably said bags are interconnected to form a continuous web bymeans of generating between the bags a static electrical charge orsurface tension for releasably holding neighboring bags together.

Preferably, the step of providing a source of a loose commodity,comprises providing a hopper having an upper region for receiving saidloose commodity and a lower region defined by a pair of reciprocatingjaws for releasing said loose commodity into the open mouth of a bag;

filling said hopper while said hopper is in a first, elevated position;

lowering said hopper to a second position wherein said jaw extends intothe mouth of a bag; and

opening said jaws to dispense said commodity while holding said bagopen.

The interconnection of the bags may be achieved by a mechanicalinterconnection, for example interlocking edge regions of adjacent bags,or surface effects such as surface tension or electrical attractionbetween contacting bags.

An intermediary conveyor means may receive the filled bags from thetransfer mean, to convey the bags by their upper rim to a heat sealingstation or the like. The intermediary conveyor may comprise a pair ofopposing elongated conveyor members, such as a pair of endless beltsdriven by pulleys, that diverge to receive a bag and converge to engageand transport the bag.

The step of transferring the filled bag away from the filling stationmay comprise transferring the filled bag in a first direction fordetaching the filled bag from the subsequent bag, and subsequently in asecond direction towards the processing means. Alternatively, transferswithin the first and second directions may occur essentiallysimultaneously.

The step of transferring the filled bag may include the step of drawingthe open mouth of the bag to a substantially closed configuration, bydrawing apart opposed ends of the upper region of the bag, therebydrawing together the opposed sides of the bag, and delivering thesubstantially closed bag to the processing means.

Having thus described the invention in general terms, the invention willnow be further characterized by reference to a description andillustrations of a preferred embodiment.

The directional references employed throughout this specification are inrelation to the longitudinal axis of the machine comprising thedirection the general direction of movement of the bags subsequent tothe filling stage, i.e., from the filling station to the heat sealingstation or other downstream processing means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view, from above, showing the apparatus according tothe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus, illustrating the conveyerwithin the closed position;

FIG. 3 is a further perspective view, illustrating the conveyer withinan open position;

FIG. 4 is a further perspective view of the apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a further perspective view of the apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a portion of the apparatus;

FIGS. 7a through i comprise a series of perspective views, of a portionof the apparatus, illustrating operation of the apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the device, illustrating afurther embodiment of one aspect thereof;

FIG. 9 is a further perspective view as in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the portion shown in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the figures, the apparatus globally denoted by reference 10is supported on a frame 16. The apparatus comprises a bag-fillingstation 20, having associated therewith a bag wicket station 22 and abag transfer station 26. The bag-filling station comprises a verticallyreciprocating hopper 28, which is driven for a reciprocal verticalmovement by a pneumatic drive cylinder 30. A supply conduit 32 feedsgrain or other loose, bulk commodity (not shown) into the hopper 28.Release of commodity from the hopper 28 is controlled by means of anopenable jaw structure 34 which defines the lower portion of the hopperand comprises a fixed jaw member 36 and a moveable jaw member 38 whichpivots about a horizontal axis. The moveable jaw member 38 is driven fora reciprocal movement diverging and convergin with the fixed jaw member36 by a pneumatic cylinder 40 mounted to the hopper 28. In the closedposition, shown in FIG. 2, the respective jaw structure 34 closed andcommodity cannot escape from the hopper 28. Within the open position,shown in FIG. 7(c), the jaw structure 34 is opened for the discharge ofa measured amount of commodity from the hopper 28.

The bag wicket station 22 comprises a generally box-like supportstructure 43 mounted to the frame 16, and which slidably engages thehopper 28. The pneumatic cylinder 30 driving the hopper is mounted to anupper portion of the support structure 43. The wicket station 22features a pair of wicket members 44, from which may be hung a flattenedstack of empty bags 46 for filling with the commodity. The wicketmembers are angled downwardly to urge the bags towards the fillingstation via gravity. A pair of holes 48 extend through the upper rimportion of the bags 46 adjacent opposed sides thereof, to engage thewicket members 44. The bags 46 are interconnected to form an endless webor chain.

In a further aspect, an alternative arrangement of the wicket station isshown in FIGS. 8 through 10. Within this version, a wicket station 200comprises paired wicket arms 202, which are angled downwardly towardsthe feeding station to feed the bags 46 via gravity towards the feedingstation. The wicket arms 202 terminate at a plate like wicket knifeassembly 206, mounted to the wicket station 22. A wicket knife 208 formsa gusset like web between the plate 206 and the wicket arms 202. Thewicket knife has a knife edge 210 for slicing the bags as the same aredrawn forwardly for removal from the wicket. Use of the wicket knifeassembly, and consequent cutting of the bag, permits easier removal ofthe bags from the wicket with less stretching than a simple tearingaction against the rounded wicket arms. FIG. 9 illustrates with arrow212 the direction of tearing of the bag as the same is pulled forwardlyoff the wicket, with the tear origin occurring at point 214 on the bag.

Conveniently, the interconnection may result from surface tension,static or electrical forces between the bags or mechanical forcesachieved by deformation of a portion of the bags surrounding the holes,which permits each bag to lightly grip its neighbours. Theinterconnection between the bags is sufficient to permit each bag todraw it's neighbour forwardly and open the mouth of the neighbouringbag, as each bag is removed from the wicket upon filling. The term“interconnection” encompasses a physical connection formed by eg.deformation of adjacent bags forming an interlocking structure, orsurface effects such as surface tension forming a connection betweenadjacent bags.

The bag transfer station 26 comprises in general terms a bag gripperassembly 50; a gripper carriage assembly 52; and a bag conveyer station54. The gripper assembly 50 is adapted to grip individual bags 46 andposition each bag sequentially beneath the hopper 28 for filling withthe commodity. Upon filling of the bag 46, the gripper assembly 50 andits associated carriage assembly 52 carry the bag to the conveyerstation 54 which in turn receives the filled bag for conveyance to aheat sealing station or other downstream processing means.

The gripper assembly 50 comprises a generally plate-like vertical base60. A pair of fixed arms 62(a) and (b) extend laterally from either endof the base 60 towards the hopper 28. Each of the outer arms 62terminates in a downwardly-extending finger 64. The fingers 64 areadjustable on the arms 62 to accommodate bags of differing sizesrequiring a greater or lesser spread of the fingers 64 to hold the bagsgenerally taut. Positioned between the fixed outer arms 62 and parallelthereto is a pair of moveable inner arms 66(a) and (b), having a similarconfiguration and each terminating in a downwardly depending finger 67.The inner arms 66 are each mounted to the base 60 for slideable movementrelative to the base 60. The inner arms 66 are each connected to acorresponding pneumatic cylinder 70 mounted to the base 60, with thecylinders adapted to drive the inner arms 66 between reciprocatingconverging and diverging positions. The inner arms 66 are reciprocatebetween a converged first position, shown in FIG. 7(a), wherein thefingers 67 of the inner arms 66 are spaced substantially apart from thefingers 64 of the fixed outer arms 62, and a second diverged position,shown in FIG. 7(b), wherein the respective fingers 64 and 67 of theinner and outer arms meet to clampingly engage a bag 46 therebetween.

It will be understood that the linear reciprocating motion of thecylinders 70, as well as all other like drive means, may be replaced byany suitable drive means including rotary drive means such as arevolving wheel, with the driven member being pivotally mounted at aposition adjacent the wheel perimeter for reciprocating sinusoidalmovement.

The carriage assembly 52 is adapted to carry the gripper assembly 50 inthree axis of movement, namely laterally, longitudinally and vertically.The carriage assembly 52 comprises a carriage frame 80, mounted to theapparatus frame 16. The carriage frame includes a pair of spaced apartparallel bars 82(a) and (b) which are fixedly mounted to the frame 16along a longitudinal axis. A carriage 84 engages the bars 82, andincludes a pair of sleeves 85 for slideable receiving the bars to permitthe carriage 84 to slide longitudinally along the bars 82. Areciprocating pneumatic cylinder 88 mounted at one end to the carriage84 and at the opposing end to the apparatus frame 16 drives the carriage84 within a longitudinal direction. Extending upwardly from the carriage84 is a rectangular pillar 88′. A corresponding rectangular sleeve 90 isslideably received on the pillar and is driven vertically relative tothe support by means of a reciprocating pneumatic cylinder 92 mounted tothe respective members. Mounted to a side of the sleeve 90 is a second,horizontally-oriented rectangular sleeve 94, the axis of which is in thelateral direction. The second sleeve 94 slidingly receives a beam 96,one end of which in turn is mounted to the base of the gripper assembly50. Lateral reciprocating movement of the gripper assembly 50 relativeto the carriage 52 is achieved by means of slidable movement of the beam96 within the second sleeve 94, which in turn is driven by a pneumaticcylinder 98 linking the respective members. Vertical movement of thegripper assembly 50 is achieved by operation of the pneumatic cylinder92.

The conveyer station 54 is mounted to the carriage assembly 52 by meansof a beam arrangement 100. The conveyer station 54 comprises a pair ofgenerally co-planer belt assemblies 102(a) and (b). The belt assemblies102 each comprise a housing 104, having journalled therein a pair ofrotatable pullies 106 at either end thereof, supporting the opposingends of a rotatably driven belt 108. A motor 110 drives both the firstof the belts 108(a) and 108(b). The respective belts are geared togetherthrough meshing spur gears mounted on corresponding belt drive shafts.The first housing 104(a), with the motor 110 mounted thereto, is fixedto the beam arrangement 100. The second housing 104(b) is pivotallymounted to the beam arrangement 100 for pivoting about a vertical axis.When the respective housings 104(a) and (b) are swung together withinthe closed position, the respective belts 108(a) and (b) are parallel toand in substantial contact with each other. Within the open positionshown in FIG. 3, the belts 108 diverge. When in the diverged position,the belts are able to receive a filled bag, and subsequently swingtogether in to the closed position for conveyance of the bag away fromthe apparatus.

Operation of the devise will now be described by reference to FIGS.7(a)-(i).

Operation of the apparatus commences with an individual bag 46,comprising the first bag in the interconnected array of bags 46, beingsupported by the wicket members 44 and positioned directly below thehopper 28. An air nozzle 112 mounted to the wicket support 43 directs astream of air into the at least partly open mouth of the bag 46, to openthe bag sufficiently for filling and to hold the bag open as the jaws 36and 38 of the hopper 28 descend into the bag 46, as shown in FIG. 7(b).The hopper 28 then discharges a measured amount of the commodity intothe bag 46. As the hopper is discharging the commodity, the bag gripperassembly 50 advances laterally towards the hopper 28, as seen in FIGS.7(c)-(e), and subsequently downwardly, as seen in FIG. 7(f), such thatthe downwardly-depending fingers 67 of the inner arms 66 extend into theopen mouth of the bag 46. The jaws 36 and 38 of the hopper 28 then closeand the hopper moves upwardly, as shown in FIGS. 7(g) and (h).Simultaneously, the inner arms 67 of the gripper diverge, therebydrawing taut the mouth of the bag 46 and gripping opposing corners ofthe bag between the respective inner and outer fingers 64 and 67, asseen in FIG. 7(h). The gripper assembly 50 then retracts laterally, asseen in FIG. 7(i), and transfers the bag 46 longitudinally to theconveyer station 54. Retraction of the first bag 46 away from theinterconnected array of bags 46 draws the subsequent bag 111 in thearray forwardly in position beneath the hopper 28. The filled bag 46 isthen conveyed longitudinally along the paired bars 82, towards theconveyor station 54. The paired belts 108 of the conveyer station 54within the open position receive the bag 46, and subsequently convergeto grippingly engage the bag between the respective belts 108, forconveyance towards a heat sealing station 120 or the like.Conventionally, the heat sealing station comprises a pair of heatedbelts which may receive the bag directly from the conveyer to perform aheat sealing operation on the bag.

Operation of the device, and in particular, operation of the variouspneumatic cylinders, is controlled by a central control unit, which inincludes sensors for detecting the positions of the various componentsreferred to above, and ensuring the various pneumatic actuators operatein a coordinated fashion.

It will be seen that although the present embodiment employsreciprocating pneumatic actuators for driving the various components ofthe apparatus, any known drive means may be substituted, includinghydraulic rams, electric linear actuators or other like means.

It will be further understood, that although the present invention hasbeen described in detail byway of a preferred embodiment thereof,persons skilled in the art to which this invention pertains will be ableto make numerous modifications and variations to the invention. Thesevariations and modifications will still remain within the spirit andscope of the invention, which is described and characterized within theappended claims.

We claim:
 1. A bag filling apparatus for filling bags with a loosecommodity comprising a bag wicket (44) for holding an interconnectedarray of empty bags, a bottom-opening discharge hopper (28), means forpositioning said bags sequentially beneath said hopper and a baggripping means for closing said bag when filled and displacing saidfilled bag away from said hopper; said bags having opposed sides andopposed ends; said hopper (28) including drive means (40) for displacingsaid hopper in a reciprocating vertical motion and a hopper mouth (34)insertable into said bag for holding said bag in an open position duringfilling; said bag gripping means comprising a first pair of arms (62 aand 62 b) each terminating in a downwardly-depending finger (64 a and 64b); and a second pair of arms (66 a and 66 b) positioned between saidfirst pair and each terminating in a corresponding downwardly-dependingfinger (67 a and 67 b), said second pair of arms being driven by firstreciprocating drive means (70) for horizontal diverging and convergingmovement whereby within a converged position said fingers of said secondarms are positioned for insertion within an open mouth of a bag, and insaid diverged position, said fingers are positioned to draw apartopposed ends of said bag, thereby drawing together the opposed sides ofsaid bag; second reciprocating drive means (92) to lower said fingers(67(a) and (b)) of said second pair of arms into the open mouth of saidbag; and third reciprocating drive means (98) to retract said fingersand said first and second pairs of arms in tandem in a horizontaldirection away from and opposite to the bag wicket (44) while grippingsaid bag for drawing the next empty bag from said wicket under saidhopper.
 2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said hopper mouthcomprises a pair of reciprocating jaw members (36 and 38) which when ina closed position prevent release of said loose commodity, said jawmembers being insertable into the mouth of said bag, and which when inan open position release said loose commodity from said hopper whileholding open said bag mouth.
 3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2,further comprising a controller for controlling the apparatus to performthe following sequence of events: positioning an at least partly openedbag beneath said hopper (28); downward movement of said hopper, wherebysaid jaw members (36 and 38) extend at least partly into an open mouthof a first of said bags and deposition of a quantity of said commoditytherein; movement of said bag gripping means laterally towards saidhopper whereby said fingers (67 a and 67 b) of said second pair ofparallel, arms (66 a and 66 b) are positioned substantially over themouth of said bag; downward movement of said fingers of said second pairof parallel arms into said bag; upward movement of said hopper away fromsaid bag; diverging movement of said fingers of said second pair ofparallel arms to draw the mouth of said bag taut and grippingly engagesaid bag between respective fingers of said first and second pair ofparallel arms; lateral movement of said pairs of arms to withdraw saidbag away from said bag wicket (44) thereby removing the filled bag fromthe wicket and drawing a second bag laterally into position beneath saidhopper, and separating said bags; and transferring said filled bag to abag sealing station (56).
 4. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, furthercomprising bag-opening means (112) for initially opening said bags priorto insertion therein of said hopper mouth (34).
 5. An apparatus asdefined in claim 4, wherein said bag-opening means (112) comprises anair nozzle for directing a stream of air towards the mouth of said bag.6. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a conveyermeans (54) for receiving filled bags from said fingers, said conveyermeans comprising: a pair of substantially co-planar rotatablecooperative belt means (108 a and 108 b), said belt means mounted forreciprocal converging and diverging movement whereby in a divergedposition the belt means are spaced apart from each other to receive saidbag, and in a converged position said belt means are sufficiently closetogether to grip and convey said bag therebetween; and drive means (110)for rotatably driving at least one of said belts and for actuating atleast one of said belt means between said converged and divergedpositions.
 7. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said bag wicket anglesdownwardly to at least partly feed said bags to said filling station viagravity.
 8. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said bag wicketfurther includes a blade means (206) for slicing an upper region of afilled bag as said filled bag is retracted by said pairs of arms.
 9. Amethod for filling a bag with a loose commodity and transferring saidfilled bag to a processing means, comprising the steps of: providing asource of loose commodity for dispensing from a hopper; providing astacked array of flattened bags on a wicket means (44) and sequentiallyreleasing an individual bag towards said source of loose commodity, saidbags each having a mouth, two opposed sides and opposed ends;sequentially opening said bags and dispensing a predetermined quantityof said commodity therein; transferring filled bags away from saidsource, to a downstream conveyor or processing means; said methodcharacterized by: providing said bags in an interconnected array;providing a hopper (28) having an upper region for receiving said loosecommodity and a lower region defined by a pair of reciprocating jaws (36and 38) for releasing said loose commodity into the open mouth of thebag; raising said hopper to a first, elevated position; positioning abag under said hopper; lowering said hopper to a second position whereinsaid jaws extend into the mouth of said bag; opening said jaws todispense said commodity while holding said bag open; raising said hopperback to said first position; gripping the filled bag with a bag grippingmeans and drawing the open mouth of said bag substantially closed, bydrawing apart opposed ends of said bag, thereby drawing together theopposed sides of said bag; and said bag gripping means comprising afirst pair of arms (62 a and 62 b) each terminating in adownwardly-depending finger (64 a and 64 b); and a second pair of arms(66 a and 66 b) positioned between said first pair and each terminatingin a corresponding downwardly-depending finger (67 a and 67 b);sequentially displacing said bag gripping means to withdraw said filledbag away from said commodity source in a horizontal direction opposed tosaid wicket means (44), while said filled bag is connected to a secondempty bag thereby drawing said second of said interconnected bags undersaid source for filling with said loose commodity; and subsequentlytransferring said filled bag in a generally horizontal direction towardssaid conveyor or downstream processing means (54).
 10. A method as inclaim 9, wherein said bags are interconnected to form a continuous webby means of generating between the bags a static electrical charge orsurface tension for releasably holding neighboring bags together.
 11. Amethod as defined in claim 9, wherein said bags are interconnected toform a continuous web by means of mechanical connection between saidbags.